For Sunday, May
17, Readings: Acts
17:22-31, Psalm 66:7-18, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21
The
God who made the world and everything in it...gives to all mortals life and
breath...From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth...so
that they would search for God...though indeed he is not far from each one of
us. [Acts 17:24a,
25b-26a, 27]
Bless
our God...who holds our souls in life...who has not rejected my prayer, nor
withheld his love from me. [Psalm
66:7a, 8b, 18b]
Now who will harm you if you
are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is
right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear...And Baptism...now saves
you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a
good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ... [1
Peter 3:13-14a, 21]
Jesus
said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the
Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is
the Spirit of Truth...You know him because he abides with you, and he will be
in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." [John
14:15-18]
This week's readings begin with reminders
of the work of God in Creation, who, in addition to making the world, gave
us life and breath and holds our souls in life. God
is known to us, if we open ourselves to discover God’s Presence within. While
life is often difficult, God is with us throughout it all. Paul tells the
Athenians – and now us – the obvious, God doesn't need anything as God is the Creator
who made everything. Furthermore, part of God's plan, is for us to search for
and discover God within and around us.
In the reading from 1st Peter, the
writer is comparing those whom God saved through Noah and the Ark as they were
safe upon the water and Baptism, which this prefigured and now
saves us as an appeal for a good conscience through the
resurrection of Jesus.
The words Jesus speaks in
John's Gospel this week are from the Last Supper after Jesus has washed the
disciples' feet, tells the gathered of his coming betrayal, and Peter's denial.
In last week's passage, Jesus says Do not let your hearts be troubled and
this week he tells of asking God, on our behalf, for another Advocate who
is within us, the Spirit of Truth. He reassures the disciples,
who don't yet understand at this point - and we who do now know what was to
come - that he will not leave us orphaned; we will see him
again.
When we combine these passages, we find another powerful reminder - the constancy of our ever-present God in Three Persons, Creator, Savior, Advocate. And the truth is, when we actively work to build and keep a good conscience, recognize and call upon the Trinity within us, we are more and more able to relinquish the strong hold of earthly distractions along with its fears, and griefs.
When we combine these passages, we find another powerful reminder - the constancy of our ever-present God in Three Persons, Creator, Savior, Advocate. And the truth is, when we actively work to build and keep a good conscience, recognize and call upon the Trinity within us, we are more and more able to relinquish the strong hold of earthly distractions along with its fears, and griefs.
The Gospel this week
begins with Jesus saying If you love me, you will keep my commandments. It
ends with They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me;
and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal
myself to them.
We are called to
walk through our human existence with our Creator, Jesus our Redeemer, and the
Holy Spirit of Truth, our Advocate; all are within us on the Way. As we love we are
loved in each and every moment. So, as the saying goes, Love IS the answer,
especially in salvation.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of All Creation, we live, we move, and have our being
in You, who gave us life and breath. You overlook our ignorance and never withhold
Your love. Quicken our desire to turn toward You, repent for things done and
left undone, and pledge our love and obedience to Your Commandments.
Blessed be our God
RESPONSE:
Who hears our every
prayer
~ God of All Creation, embolden and encourage us as we urge
productive humanitarian and environmental actions from the political leaders of
our Nation, our Community, and our Planet, in the service of safety, mercy, and
health for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who
hears our every prayer
~ God of All Creation, deliver comfort and hope to all who
are sick, anxious, or fearful, and to those who worry and attend to their
needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Blessed be our God
Who
hears our every prayer
~ God of All Creation, we commend to Your eternal embrace
all who have left this mortal life, and are now received into everlasting joy
and glory in You. We pray especially for:
Blessed be our God
Who
hears our every prayer
~ God of All Creation, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions…
Blessed be our God
Who
hears our every prayer
~ God
of All Creation, lift and renew the spirits of all who lead us in Your church
in these difficult days, that they may guide us all to a place of spiritual
refreshment through Your Word and by Your Love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Blessed be our God
Who
hears our every prayer
The Celebrant adds: Living, Loving Creator, who holds our souls in life, free
us from earthly fears and steady us on our journey to You, as we offer
sacrifice and prayer for a good conscience and constant thanksgiving for the
Resurrection of Christ. We ask through Jesus our Living Savior; and the Spirit
of Truth, our Holy Advocate, who live and reign with You, as One God, forever
and ever. Amen
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